The Etna High girls varsity basketball team took first place at the Roberta Criss Memorial Classic at Butte Valley High School in Dorris on Saturday.

And, the Lions boys varsity basketball team took fifth place at the tournament on Saturday as both squads had good early season showings.

Etna Girls:

Etna started the three-day tournament on Thursday by downing the Mazama JV team by a commanding 50-17 margin. On Friday the Lions downed Butte Valley 46-34. On Saturday, Etna defeated Bonanza 71-53 for the girls varsity tournament title. A total of five Lions finished in double digits in the Bonanza game. Jessie Eiler led Etna with 20 points. Hannah Little had 13 points and Sara Hoyt and Elida Pelayo each had 12 points for the Lions. Bo Murray finished with 10 points. The Lions are 3-1 for the season after losing to University Prep of Redding on the road 53-40 last Tuesday to start the season. Head coach Les Helsey said that taking first at the tournament is an excellent confidence booster for the young squad. On Tuesday the Lions travel to Hayfork for a contest. The Etna JV girls team also took first at the Butte Valley tournament. Hesley said it's great to see both teams do so well and said it shows the girls basketball program is hopefully on an upswing this season.

Etna Boys.

Etna opened the tournament on Thursday with a 62-57 loss to Bonanza. On Friday they downed the Henley JV squad 50-40. On Saturday the Lions ended the tournament with a 64-50 win against Surprise Valley. Head coach Mike Pendley said the Lions led 31-29 at the half and pulled away in the second half. "We played really well," he said.

J.T. Murray had 19 points while Nick DeLaRosa-Kraus had 15 points. The Lions are now 2-2 for the season after opening the year last Tuesday with a 46-40 loss to Universty Prep in Redding.The boys varsity team is off for this week but the boys JV team as well as the girls JV team are hosting a home tournament starting on Thursday.